SIERRA COUNTY, CA — Authorities have arrested a Reno, Nevada resident in connection with the Crystal Peak Wildfire in eastern Sierra County on the morning of August 5, 2026.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Dog Valley area near Crystal Peak Mine after a nearby resident reported seeing smoke. Upon investigating the scene, deputies identified evidence indicating that the fire originated at a campsite occupied by 50-year-old Sarah Ortstadt.
Ortstadt was taken into custody and charged with unlawfully causing a fire on forest land, a violation of California Penal Code section 452(c). During the investigation, deputies discovered a usable amount of suspected methamphetamine and determined that Ortstadt was under the influence of a controlled substance.
Consequently, she was booked on additional charges:
Health and Safety Code section 11550(a) – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Health and Safety Code section 11377(a) – Possession of Methamphetamine
Following her arrest, Ortstadt was transported to Nevada City and booked into the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
The response and investigation involved coordination among several agencies. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the assistance of the Tahoe National Forest in fire suppression and investigation efforts, as well as contributions from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District in bringing the fire under control.
